What is our skin?
Our skin is an essential part of our body: it is our largest and most important organ, the outer layer which covers and protects the body. There are also several other organs attached to the skin: the nails, hair, sebaceous glands and sweat glands, for example.
Our skin lives, breathes and develops as we do; it undergoes many changes throughout our lives and gives sense to what we are and what we feel. As we are born with it, we may never have wondered what the skin is or what it’s for.
The skin’s structure
By weight, our skin accounts for between 12% and 15% of our body, and is made up of three layers:
- The epidermis, the outermost layer we can touch, feel, see and smell, is made up of several strata or layers of cells: the stratum germinosum or stratum basale, the stratum spinosum, the stratum granulosum, the stratum lucidum and the stratum corneum.
- The dermis, or intermediate layer, is made up of connective tissue. Connective tissue, found throughout our body, fastens, joins, covers, holds and strengthens our other tissues. The types of connective tissues that make up the dermis, and which make it smooth, flexible and elastic are collagen fibres, elastic fibres and reticulin fibres.
- The hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue is the deepest, thickest layer. The hypodermis, made up of fat cells, also contains cutaneous nerves and ligaments and blood and lymph vessels. The main purpose of the hypodermis is to insulate the body against exterior heat or cold.
What is it for?
The skin carries out functions that are essential for the proper development of our body. The main ones are the following:
- The skin protects our organs, internal tissues and bones from the exterior. Melanin, a pigment in the skin, acts as a barrier against the sun’s rays, which directly impact our epidermis.
- Our body’s thermostat, the skin regulates our body temperature. This function is essential for our body to remain stable. When we feel hot, the skin releases sweat from the sweat glands, helping to cool our body. When it is cold, on the other hand, the skin’s blood vessels contract, avoiding heat loss. This function of thermoregulation keeps the temperature of the body at 37 degrees.
- Immune barrier. Some skin cells fight against bacteria, viruses and harmful foreign bodies, stopping them from entering our body and causing illness.
- Favours development. The skin’s elasticity and capacity to expand is a very important property, as it allows the body to grow and change as it develops.
- Absorption and excretion. The skin absorbs oxygen, nitrogen and other necessary substances, as well as getting rid of certain waste products created by our body, such as urea, water and uric acid.
Skin types and skincare
Whether your skin type is dry, oily, mixed, normal or sensitive, you need to care for it in certain ways to maintain its elasticity, resistance and glow. Whatever your skin type, the important thing is for you to know it well and give it the care it deserves. Use the treatment best suited to your skin so it looks healthy, fresh and radiant.
